All it will take is another scandal and he'll have to go surely? I mean, what about if there were a juicy sex scandal? Imagine the fall-out if he was using his taxpayer funded transport to travel around London and see lots of women, or something else like that? Now that would be juicy, and hilarious at the same time wouldn't it? Mind you, the Lobby might be to scared to report something like that even if he did!
The really question I guess is how long he can hold on with the current scandals engulfing him. Perhaps it won't need another one to force him out of office. After all, he is fast losing the support of Labour MPs and he has now got the support of Galloway. Will Brown dither over Livingstone or will he act decisively against him? On past performance the former rather than latter seems most likely.
19 comments:
Are you hinting at something my dear Dizzy?
"Now that would be juicy, and hilarious at the same time wouldn't it?"
And unlikely. I know power is an aphrodisiac, but not it's that good.
On the other hand, there was David Mellor....
What power does Brown have to "act decisively against him"? Is there a recall procedure? Can the PM sack the Mayor? What's Brown going to do: threaten to kick Livingstone out of the Labour Party?
Interesting questions Dizzy, but you can be certain of two things:
1) the MSM will wriggle like eels to avoid reporting any of this.
2) Bottler Brown will dither.
I find it unbelievable that there are not mechanisms in place to remove people from any position in public office should they so blatantly break rules of the use of staff for political purposes.
Gordon Brown and Ken Livingstone should not even be part of the discussion - Ken should be removed from office for breaking rules that are designed to protect democracy.
The best thing would be to treat London as Palestine and seal it off from the rest of the world. Then see how Livingstone and the rest of his commie and terrorist mates get on.
Another distinct advantage would be that it would keep Gordy Broon-troosers and his Jockuza away from the rest of us.
Scenario:
1) Labour NEC expels Livingstone.
2) Livingstone stands as an independent (blaming Labour for any corruption) and wins.
3) After another mayoral term, Brown (or his successor) rehabilitates Livingstone into Labour.
4) Livingstone wins again.
5) Goto 1) - i.e. repeat ad nauseam.
Livingstone 4ever-n-ever-n-ever?
My goodness, what an interesting hypothesis you advance in your second paragraph.
Quite obviously, nothing could be alleged without documentary proof of such a fable, since no-one would wish to libel the Mayor.
I took a long shot bet that he would be sacked before the election some time ago. Tally ho.
Livingstone won't go until he has a lawsuit around his neck, and even then it's doubtful that we'll get rid of him. He is like an old chewing gum underneath the boot -- STICKY.
Boris is a funny, cute man, but not really the kind of person that London needs -- we need someone who is boring but effective, quiet but in possession of a big stick and not afraid to use it, and someone who is willing to be logical despite it being easier to be a popular fluff head.
Is there such a someone? Yes, and they are all busy doing something other than politics. Why? Because politics has been degraded into a corrupt carnival.
Is there a mechanism to make him step down, like an impeachment? I don't think there's anyone who can sack him, is there, because he is directly elected (indeed the most powerful directly elected figure in Western Europe after the French President IIRC). If not, he will cling to office whatever, as he is the most shameless, power-hungry, and apparently corrupt, figure in British politics.
And that's saying a lot.
Even if he were to summon up the courage (now there's something he apparently knows about) Brown is really not in a position to act against Livingstone. He desperately needs a Labour Mayor, there is no alternative. If Livingstone were to go it would not be long before the likes of Wendy Alexander would go too. The whole thing is a delicately balanced house of cards.
It's most unlikely that Livingstone would step down. He's got too much to lose - in all senses - and his 'lady friend' is never going to give up her fantastic stipend as his Assistant (or whatever her dubious title may be this week). If as a result of her paramour's actions she had to leave, life in the Livingstone household would be hell.
The only way Livingstone is going to go is to be voted out or carried out on a stretcher suffering from DTs or cirrhosis. But politically he is suffering the death of a thousand cuts, and I'm hugely enjoying watching him bleed.
The trouble is that whilst Ken clearly has abused his power here... do practically all MPs come election time. How many researchers stand down and stop being paid when they start pounding pavements..? This is on a bigger scale, but what Tory would have the nerve to make play of it? Which is why it's down to the NS...
The chances of Livingstone standing down are nil. It isn't in his mentality, no matter what is 'disclosed'.
Why not just abolish the whole cabooodle and let local boroughs run their own bit of turf? Shouln't be too difficult to liaise over mutual interest with neighbouring lot to everybody's benefit.
Apparently Ken has visited Cuba several times (at taxpayer's expense), not just the once as is commonly believed. He holidays there.
I am surprised the Cuba connection hasn't been looked at for its innuendo potential etc.
I didn't realise 'Mrs' Leninslime works for the Mayor - does she actually put any time in, how much does she get?
Dizzy, if you had a brain (whole or part) you'd be dangerous.
As it is...ha, ha, ha!
@ Judith,
Livingstone's other half is reputed to be 'earning' £100k plus. And that does not take into account all of the other 'benefits'....
No wonder the regular holidays in Cuba, eh? But then again, are they paid for by Livingstone?
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